The Boulé Journal SIGMA PI PHI FRATERNITY FEATURE REPRINT / VOLUME 83 / NUMBER 2 / SUMMER 2019
SIGMA PI PHI FRATERNITY AND ARCHON ANTOINE M. GARIBALDI THANK THE KRESGE FOUNDATION FOR ITS SPONSORSHIP OF THE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FORUM II AT MOREHOUSE COLLEGE ON APRIL 27, 2019
Features | The Boulé Journal | SigmaPiPhi.org 15 Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Archon Antoine M. Garibaldi express sincere thanks to The Kresge Foundation for its sponsorship of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Forum II at Morehouse College on April 27, 2019. Archon Antoine M. Garibaldi Chair, Grand Committee on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Postsecondary Education Access
16 Summer 2019 | Volume 83 • Number 2
Boule Journal_Garibaldi 2019.indd 1 9/17/19 11:19 AM Feature HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FORUM II
By Archon Antoine M. Garibaldi, Chair, Grand Committee on HBCUs and Postsecondary Education Access
The second Historically Black Colleges and Universities Forum of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity was held on the campus of Morehouse Col- lege on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Organized by the Grand Committee on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Postsecondary Education Access, more than 130 Archons, Archousai and guests attended the morn- ing panels, afternoon luncheon and evening receptions at the Office of the Grand Boulé and Emory University’s Stuart A. Rose Manu- have provided undergraduate, graduate and script, Archives and Rare Book Library. This professional degrees to the majority of Afri- article summarizes the panels’ discussions, can Americans through the 1970’s. action items from the discussions, and the Additionally, these institutions of higher luncheon speech of Archon Bobby C. Scott, learning have awarded those same degrees chair of the U.S. House Education and Labor to a significantly large number of Archons Committee. since Sigma Pi Phi’s founding in 1904, and to a significant number of the more than 5,000 current Archons. Sigma Pi Phi, therefore, has Purpose of the Grand Committee a vested interest in assisting HBCUs so that on HBCUs and Postsecondary they remain viable, competitive and strong. Because HBCUs educate approximately only Education Access 20 percent of the 2.4 million African Ameri- The initial Grand Committee on Histori- can students in college today, the words “and cally Black Colleges and Universities was es- Postsecondary Education Access” have been tablished by Past Grand Sire Archon Wesley added to the committee’s name so that the Coleman during the 2016–18 biennium. The committee can also focus on assisting the committee has a twofold purpose: to raise other 80 percent of black students attending Archons’ awareness of the educational and predominantly white four-year, two-year, pro- societal contributions of HBCUs and to en- prietary/non-profit and other types of post- courage Archons’ professional and financial secondary institutions. assistance to the more than 100 historic insti- The Grand Committee on Historically tutions of higher education. Since the found- Black Colleges and Universities and Post- ing of Cheyney University in 1837, HBCUs secondary Education Access’s members are
Features | The Boulé Journal | SigmaPiPhi.org 1 The Grand Boulé Committee on HBCUs and Postsecondary Education Access
Archons Preston Castille, Jr. (Alpha Xi), Ron- tween September 2018 and April 2019. After ald Crutcher (Alpha Beta), Michael Fauntroy careful deliberation, the three topics select- (Epsilon), Antoine Garibaldi (Iota, Chair), Bri- ed for the panels were Exemplary Models of an Jackson (Alpha Xi), Alex Johnson (Tau), Leadership and Governance at HBCUs: Best Kanahl R. Kendrick (Gamma Chi), Otis Moss, Practices and Keys to Success; Preserving Jr. (Tau), Charles Rice, Jr. (Alpha Alpha), Carl HBCUs’ Legacy in Professional Schools, with Stewart (Delta Kappa), Calvin Tyler, Jr. (Epsi- a special focus on medicine, law and dentist- lon Beta), Dwaun Warmack (Eta), and David ry; and Federal, State and External Challeng- Williams II (Chi/Omega). es and Opportunities for HBCUs in Dynamic Political Environments. The theme of the first panel, Exemplary Summary of HBCU Forum II’s Models of Leadership and Governance at Panels and Discussions HBCUs: Best Practices and Keys to Success, was the most important issue identified by The HBCU Forum II continued the ex- the first forum’s participants. This panel ad- change of ideas that began at the first HBCU dressed the primary policy roles of boards of Forum in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2017. trustees and the collaborative relationships The critical themes discussed at HBCU Fo- they must have with their president. Archon rum I included fundraising, enrollment, mar- Rice, who is also a trustee at Dillard Univer- keting, alumni participation, and the impend- sity, moderated the panel that included Dr. ing challenges of federal, state and private Beverly Wade Hogan, president of Tougaloo financial support for students and HBCUs. College; Archon David Wilson (Gamma), pres- Participants’ evaluations of the first forum’s ident of Morgan State University; Archon Otis three panel sessions were very positive, and Moss, Jr. (Tau), chair emeritus of the More- the participants identified and recommended house College Board of Trustees; and Archon other topics of importance for future forums. Bernard E. Anderson (Alpha), past chair of The current committee reviewed those sug- Lincoln University (PA) Board of Trustees. gestions, in addition to other themes, as they Each speaker began with a three-minute planned the agenda for HBCU Forum II be- statement, followed by questions from the
2 Summer 2019 | Volume 83 • Number 2 First panel’s theme: “Exemplary Models of Leadership and Governance at HBCUs: Best Practices and Keys to Success” moderator, and comments and questions ed that the governing board’s primary role is from the audience. The panelists agreed on to ensure that the institution has an articu- several items they considered essential to lated mission and vision. But he also empha- ensuring effective board governance, board sized that it is even more important that the oversight and a thriving university. President university have the correct policies in place Hogan, a seventeen-year veteran, stated that to implement strategic goals so that the vi- presidents and board chairpersons must de- sion and mission can be achieved. The panel- velop close working relationships because ists also recommended that trustees should trust grows and strengthens over time. Ar- be required to participate in ongoing pro- chon Wilson, a president for nine years, em- fessional development. Finally, the panelists phasized that trustees must adhere to their concurred that a successful president takes policy roles and avoid becoming involved in full advantage of the wisdom and collective the day-to-day operations of the university. experience of his or her board. Boards hire presidents to manage the col- The second panel’s theme, “Preserving lege’s administrative affairs, and presidents HBCUs’ Legacy in Professional Schools,” must have the freedom to select their leader- with the special focus on medicine, law and ship team. If the board allows trustees to in- dentistry, was selected by the committee be- terfere with the president’s responsibilities, cause of the decades-long declining numbers discord between the board and the presi- of African American students enrolling in and dent, among the board and within the univer- completing medical, dental, law and similar sity will result. professional degrees in HBCUs and other Archon Moss recommended that presi- institutions that have these professional de- dents should communicate often with their gree programs. The committee believed that boards because it ensures transparency and this discussion would provide the Boulé with minimizes the possibility of trustees being strategic directions and recommendations surprised by any institutional concern or is- for strengthening the pipeline to profession- sue. Regular president-trustee communica- al careers. Archon Castille moderated the tion also keeps board members up to date on panel, which included Archon Alex Johnson, university matters. Archon Anderson indicat- president of Cuyahoga Community College;
Features | The Boulé Journal | SigmaPiPhi.org 3 Second panel’s theme: “Preserving HBCUs’ Legacy in Professional Schools”
Archon Wayne Frederick (Epsilon), president mous convening authority to form a national of Howard University; James Hildreth, pres- collaboration, coalescing similar groups to ident and chief executive officer of Meharry develop a coherent educational improvement Medical College; and Gary Bledsoe, acting strategy for African American youths at the dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law earliest age possible so they will be prepared at Texas Southern University. to endure the rigors of a long professional In their opening statements, the panelists school education. It was also recommended stated that African Americans comprise less that the Fraternity attempt to address some than 5 percent of the legal profession, less of the socioeconomic challenges that hinder than 3 percent of the dental profession, and the academic achievement of our youth. less than 6 percent of the medical profession. Archon Johnson firmly proposed that While HBCUs have historically produced the community colleges be used as a bridge to majority of African American professionals in a four-year degree and a professional-school those fields, Dr. Hildreth noted that the per- education. He explained that a two-year col- centage of HBCU graduates from professional lege education is both less expensive and schools has been declining, and the shrink- gives students who may not initially qualify ing number of African American profession- for admission to a four-year institution the als will have a significant impact on African opportunity to receive additional academic American communities across the country. support so they can transfer to a university. This continuing trend of fewer African Ameri- Archon Frederick recommended that HBCUs can professionals will severely reduce access develop more joint degree programs, such as to medical and dental care and also legal rep- the B.S.–M.D. program he graduated from at resentation. Howard University. Several specific recommendations were Students save time and money in joint de- offered for strengthening the pipeline to pro- gree programs because it takes fewer years fessional schools and these professions. Hil- to complete their degrees. Like other speak- dreth stressed that the pipeline to profession- ers at the forum, he also stated forcefully al school begins in the elementary school. that HBCUs must develop stronger fundrais- Dean Bledsoe urged the Boulé to use its enor- ing strategies, collectively and individually,
4 Summer 2019 | Volume 83 • Number 2 Audience at the HCBU Forum
to grow and build larger endowments and al- The session began with the panelists un- ternative revenue streams. Finally, the panel equivocally expressing their thoughts and agreed that the Boulé should work diligently opinions on the current governmental climate to find solutions to this severe and urgent and the challenges and opportunities for HB- crisis in the African American community CUs today. Archon Lomax identified some of and in HBCUs. the opportunities where he believed UNCF Archon Fauntroy, associate professor of could impact the policy agenda to advance political science at Howard University, mod- HBCUs’ interests. Ms. Baskerville empha- erated the third panel: Federal, State and sized the importance of continued collabo- External Challenges and Opportunities for ration and collective efforts by all organiza- HBCUs in Dynamic Political Environments. tions that work on behalf of HBCUs. Archon The panelists included attorney Lezli Bask- Holifield emphasized the role the Boulé can erville, president of the National Association play in shaping HBCU policy. He compared for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education the Fraternity to a trim tab, small but pow- (NAFEO); Archon Michael Lomax (Kappa), erful control surface on rudders that provide president of the United Negro College Fund additional control and guidance to a ship. (UNCF); Archon Johnathan Holifield (Tau), The most important action item from the executive director of the White House Ini- discussion related to the imminent renew- tiative on HBCUs; and Archon Harry L. Wil- al of Title III of the Higher Education Act of liams (Beta Eta), president of the Thurgood 1965. All panelists indicated that its renewal Marshall College Fund. Archon Fauntroy be- was essential to ensuring the continued fed- gan by noting that “politics results in policies eral financial support of HBCUs. Baskerville that impact people. In the case of higher ed- requested that the Boulé sign the letter of ucation, particularly HBCUs, public policies support for Title III’s renewal and said that created by particular political dynamics have it could raise HBCUs’ support by as much as created a range of federal, state and other $100 million in the next fiscal year. challenges and opportunities. Indeed, some of the challenges and opportunities can be created by the same policy.”
Features | The Boulé Journal | SigmaPiPhi.org 5 Grand Sire Archon Gregory Vincent, Archon Bobby Scott, Archon Antoine Garibaldi and Grand Sire Archon–Elect Dwayne Murray Archon Bobby C. Scott’s Luncheon tification and job-training programs. The Aim Higher Act, however, emphasizes making Speech college more affordable; closely monitors Archon Bobby C. Scott, U.S. congressman, for-profit institutions that target students chairman of the House Education and Labor and veterans with expensive, low-quality Committee, covered several topics of legisla- programs; protects and expands the Public tive importance. He noted at the beginning Service Loan Forgiveness program, which that he and his committee understand that an is eliminated under the PROSPER Act, and excellent elementary- and secondary-school makes student loans simpler and easier to education for America’s youths will prepare repay; provides students the tools they need them to be excellent students for college and to graduate on time with a quality degree; in- vocational postsecondary opportunities. He vests in teachers; and strengthens training also emphasized that he and his congressio- for teachers and school leaders to improve nal colleagues are firmly committed to mak- the quality of our schools. ing postsecondary education affordable for To reauthorize the Higher Education Act, all students and want to ensure that they will Archon Scott emphasized that bipartisan co- be able to receive federal grants and loans to operation will be essential. He indicated that minimize their debt. five bipartisan hearings had been scheduled He delineated carefully the differences be- to develop a complete bill for higher educa- tween the Republicans’ Promoting Real Op- tion legislation for the 116th Congress. The portunity, Success and Prosperity Through topics of the bipartisan hearings would in- Education Reform (PROSPER) Act and the clude the rising cost of college; college ac- Democrats’ Aim Higher Act. Both of these countability; ensuring that federal and state Acts are proposed legislation for the reau- dollars support high quality programs; im- thorization of the Higher Education Act of proving student completion and support- 1965. The PROSPER Act would streamline the ing schools, including HBCUs, that serve a student aid system, eliminate burdensome disproportionate number of first-generation regulations, and elevate postsecondary cer- and minority students; and innovative strat-
6 Summer 2019 | Volume 83 • Number 2 Standing ovation for Archon Bobby Scott
egies to expand access to quality higher ed- ing HBCU faculty and administrators on the ucation. topic “Current and Emerging Roles of Black Archon Scott also expressed his concern Colleges and Universities.” that some states have not been allocating ad- The seminar explored the historical and equate resources to HBCUs through their re- potential roles of historically black colleges spective consent decrees, and he encouraged and universities, research at HBCUs, external close reviews of those agreements to confirm conditions and policies affecting their future, their compliance of commitments that were and methods of strengthening them as an made to HBCUs. He noted, for example, that increasingly important part of the nation’s Maryland has not concluded its negotiations system of higher education. Fourteen of the with respect to HBCUs’ funding. Finally, he distinguished group of participants, which in- also recommended that HBCUs place more cluded a mix of senior and younger scholars, emphasis on fundraising in order to grow and were invited to write papers on topics related build their endowments. to the theme of current and future roles for HBCUs. As originally intended, I edited the papers over a couple of years so they could Concluding Reflections be included in my edited publication, Black Planning and organizing this second forum Colleges and Universities: Challenges for the on historically black colleges and universi- Future (Praeger, 1984), which is still in print. ties provided a memorable personal and pro- Because many of the issues pertaining to fessional flashback. Almost forty years ago, the future of HBCUs that we are addressing in November 1979, when I was a research today are the same as those raised more than associate at the National Institute of Educa- thirty-five years ago, HBCU Forum II was a tion, which was then a part of the Office of déjà vu moment. A quick review of the statis- Education in the U.S. Department of Health, tics below from my book’s foreword corrobo- Education and Welfare (before becoming the rates my assertion: U.S. Department of Education), I had the priv- • In 1978–79, the 105 historically black ilege of convening a seminar of fourteen lead- institutions accounted for almost 20
Features | The Boulé Journal | SigmaPiPhi.org 7 Audience at the luncheon
percent of all blacks enrolled in higher HBCUs accounted for 45.1 percent of all education throughout the nation – a master’s degrees awarded to blacks percentage that is very similar today • In first-professional degree programs, in relation to HBCUs’ share of African HBCUs accounted for 62 percent of the American students in college. 876 degrees awarded to blacks in the • In the seventeen states and the District seven states and the District of Columbia of Columbia where HBCUs were located, where they offer professional study. blacks were awarded 9.8 percent of • In the District of Columbia and the 363,000 baccalaureate degrees Tennessee, HBCUs’ share was more than conferred on all students. Historically two thirds, largely due to the medical black colleges accounted for the major program of Meharry Medical College and share of that figure, 61.5 percent of to the medical and other professional all baccalaureate degrees awarded to programs at Howard University. blacks (35,700). Moreover, in thirteen of the seventeen states and the District of Although it was not my intention to be a Columbia, HBCUs accounted for more predictor of unfortunate consequences, it is than half of all baccalaureates awarded clear from the data of more than forty years to blacks, 22.3 percent of the master’s ago that we have neither made the gains in degrees, 4.1 percent of the doctorates, nor the expected improvement of undergrad- and 20.2 percent of the first-professional uate, graduate, and first-professional degree degrees. attainment of African American students. • Even more important, HBCUs exceeded Of even greater concern, the following 1984 the production of graduate degrees. forecast predicting the dearth of physicians, While graduate programs were offered in dentists and lawyers, unless solutions were HBCUs in thirteen states and the District implemented, should set off alarms for Sigma of Columbia in 1975–76, blacks received Pi Phi Fraternity and other similar black or- 10.7 percent of all master’s degrees, ganizations that can collectively resolve this almost double the national average, and problem:
8 Summer 2019 | Volume 83 • Number 2 The group poses in front of Archon Benjamin Mays’s tomb.
One of the most pressing and dental schools increase, the need challenges is to produce more black for black professionals would not be physicians, dentists and lawyers. filled. (Garibaldi, Praeger, 1984). Black professionals are dramatically underrepresented in the total As a result of the discussions at HBCU Fo- population. If the situation remains rum II, the proposed recommendations from static, there will be a deficit of the panels and Archon Scott, and some of approximately 42,000 black physicians, the data from nearly forty years, this is a piv- 11,000 black dentists, and 19,000 black otal time for Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity as the lawyers in the year 2000. Ninety-two oldest African American fraternity to take a percent of black physicians (compared leadership role in increasing the educational to 73 percent of white physicians) are achievement and attainment of our youths at located in metropolitan areas, where the elementary, secondary, postsecondary, there are large concentrations of the graduate and professional levels. We must black population. Further, 90 percent accept this urgent call to action to increase of black physicians serve primarily the volume of African American students in nonwhite patients, whereas only 9.5 the pipeline so that we can also increase the percent of the patients of nonblack numbers of black students on all college cam- physicians are nonwhite…. Unless new puses, and especially historically black col- solutions are offered in the numbers of leges and universities. first-year black students in law, medical
Reference:
Garibaldi, A.M. (Ed.). (1984) Black Colleges and Universities: Challenges for the Future. Praeger: New York.
Features | The Boulé Journal | SigmaPiPhi.org 9 Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity ESTABLISHED 1904 Office of the Grand Boulé 260 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 1604 10 Summer 2019 | Volume 83 • Number 2 Atlanta, GA 30303